Just few hours back Microsoft put an end to the mystery around its details-free media event to something big at the Milk studio in Hollywood, Los Angeles-- and big it was. The Event kicked off at around 4:00pm Pacific time, 7:00pm Eastern; “It embodies hardware and software working together. People want to work and play,” Steve Ballmer said amid much fanfare at the event. The Software giant has officially entered the ring with Apple. The Company took the wraps off the all new Microsoft Surface, a Windows 8 tablet an answer to the iPad (that is what the Company hopes.)

Presenting Microsoft's history with Windows, Xbox, and Kinect, Ballmer introduced a video of the company's hardware products over the years before unveiling Windows 8 based, the Microsoft Surface.

Microsoft views the Surface as a “stage for Windows 8.” The Software giant clearly designed this tablet to best showcase yet-to-be released Windows 8. The tablet itself seems fantastic. Compared to the iPad, it’s a bit utilitarian with hard lines, full size I/O ports, and heat vents. But it also seems like a serious tablet rather than a plaything.

The first of its kind, Surface is built to work as both tablet and PC.  Just as Windows 8 is a reimagining of the Windows operating system, Microsoft describes Surface as a reimagining of the tablet.

Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky took to the stage to describe the hardware of Microsoft's Surface tablet. There are two main versions of the device: Microsoft Surface for Windows RT, and the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro.  Both Surface Tablets will be designed in-house.

Windows 8 Pro version

The Windows 8 Pro version is just is just 9.3mm thin, weighs 1.5lbs and is powered by Intel's 22nm Ivy Bridge chips. The device will be shipped in 32GB or 64GB versions. The pro version comes with a stylus that allows users to make handwritten notes on documents such as PDF files.

Windows RT version

Windows RT version is 13.5mm thick, comes with a weight of 1.9lbs and is powered by an ARM chipset. The device will be shipped in 64GB or 128GB versions.

Both have two full size USB ports — something you won’t find on the vast majority of the tablet competition. You’ll also find a Micro SD port on the side of the RT version and a microSDXC port of the Pro version for adding data to the device or reading files (like pictures from your digital camera) on the fly.

Both the Tablets come with optional Touch and Type keyboard covers and have a 10.6-inch 16:9 widescreen HD display screen. Designed to be mobile yet sturdy, the screen is made of Gorilla Glass -– an ultra-strong glass – to prevent scratches

 “It was always clear that what our software could do would require us to push hardware, sometimes where our partners hadn’t envisioned,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said at the event. “Much like Windows 1 needed the mouse, we wanted to give Windows 8 its own hardware.”

The Kickstand

The Tablets include a built-in kickstand, and is the first PC with a vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case, according to Microsoft.

The kickstand for both tablets was just 0.7 millimeters thick, less than the thickness of a credit card. the company says it spent lots of time developing the three hinges that make it work, modeling them after the doors on a luxury car.

Keyboard Cover

The Cover that is included with the Tablet doubles as a touch keyboard that is just 3 millimeters thick.

A Touch Cover for the device protects the screen. It has a rubbery feeling, but the keys don’t compress when you touch them. It also does not bend at all, unlike iPad covers — obviously, as it does more than just cover the screen. Microsoft says it made the hinges and cover to give it a bookish feeling. They come in several different colors.

Microsoft didn't say how long the Surface would last on battery power.

The Apps and the Software

When it comes to operating systems, Microsoft is competing on several fronts. Microsoft is a distant rival in a smartphone space dominated by Google's Android and Apple's iOS software.

Besides, the iPad’s strength comes from the sheer number of 3rd party apps available through the App Store. Apple lured a crazy number of developers to its platform through the promise of profit-sharing and a fair distribution environment.  Plus, Apple's over 225,000 apps will be tough act to follow. Microsoft will likely have to subsidize development of apps for years to come to build interest.

But Microsoft isn’t worried about app development with the Surface. The tablet runs Windows after all. It is the most dominant computing platform on Earth and powers roughly 95% of all personal computers worldwide, according to Gartner. The Software leader will not be the exclusive manufacturer of Windows tablets. The devices could come from the likes of makers Dell, Lenovo, and Samsung. The Company is also teaming up with PC makers like Acer Inc., Toshiba Corp. and Asustek Computer Inc. to build Windows RT tablets.

At this early stage it seems like a smart move for a developer to jump on the Metro bandwagon. Even if the Surface doesn’t sell, there will be dozens of other Windows 8 tablets from other players.

Take a look at the Video here:

A Look at the Features of the Surface and other Tablets

The Windows 8 Tablet is as such is a Metro device.  Microsoft clearly had this product in mind when it announced the Xbox SmartGlass feature at E3 earlier in the month.

Pricing

Pricing has not been revealed at all — Microsoft is only saying both the RT consumer version and the higher powered Pro versions will be at price points that are “competitive” to their peers. The RT should be out in time for the holidays when Windows 8 roll out and the Pro version of the tablet will come out three months later.

When released later this year ARM models will likely start around $400-$600 and x86 models will hit closer to $1,000.

While Surface might not kill the iPad, it might revive Microsoft.